Device for operating mail-box lids.



PATENTED APR. 10, 1906. A. SEATON. DEVICE FOR OPERATING MAIL BOX LIDS.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 22, 1905.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREWV SEATON, OF OSBORN, MISSOURl, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO LELLO E.KELLEY, OF OSBORN, MISSOURI.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 22. 1905. Serial No. 266,468.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, ANDREW SEATON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Osborn, in the county of Dekalb and State of Missouri, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for OperatingMail-Box Lids, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mail-boxes, and pertains especially to adevice for operating the lids of rural mail-boxes.

The object of the invention is to provide a novel and peculiar deviceattached to the pinged lid of a rural mail-boxfor opening the A furtherobject of the invention is to provide a device for opening ruralmail-boxes whereby the lid of the box may be raised for the purpose ofcollection and delivery Without the mail-carrier or postman alightingfrom the mail-wagon.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device forraising the lid of mailboxes and holding the same open for the handlingof mail-matter without the mail-carrier alighting from the mail-Wagonand to make such connection between the device and the lid that thelatter will close simultaneously with passage of the wagon from the box.

With these objects in view the invention consists in the peculiararrangement of levers relative to the mail-box and in the manner ofconnecting the levers to the box-lid to open 1t.

The invention further consists in a pair of levers one of which ispivoted to a mail-box post and the other of which is attached to thebox-lid and a link connecting the said pair of levers together to openthe box.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, Figure 1is a perspective view showing the application of the invention. Fig. 2is an elevation looking at the end of the box with the latter open. Fig.3 is a perspective View of the lid-lever, partly broken away.

The same reference-numerals denote the same parts throughout the severalviews of the drawings.

For purposes of exemplification the invention will be shown anddescribed in connection with a rectangular mail-box and a square postbut it is quite as applicable to boxes and posts of various shape orcharacter having a hinged lid.

The post 1 may be of special design or an ordinary fence-post may beemployed. The mail-box 2 is attached to the post in the usual mannerandhas a hinged lid 3. The device for operating the lid comprises a lever4, pivotally hung from the post and under the box by eyes 5 and having along arm 6, projecting from the post a distance sufiicient to be engagedby the wheels or body of a mail-wagon, and a short arm 7, projectingfrom under the box beyond one of its ends, a lever 8 extending over thetop of the box and curving back of the latter and having diverging endsforming hooks 9, adapted to fit the front rim of the lid, and a link 10,pivoted to and connecting the lid-lever and the short arm of thepost-lever.

It is obvious that a mail-wagon has simply to be driven against thelong, arm of the postlever, which will carry the latter to one side andraise the lid. The wagon is stopped in front of the box to hold the lidraised, so that the carrier may deposit or collect mail from the boxwithout holding the lid open and without alighting from the vehicle.Then the passage of the vehicle from the box will permit the long leverto swing back to closedlid position.

It will be seen that the hook affords means for detachably connectingthe lid-lever to the lid, so that in the event of injury to the lid orchange of boxes the levers are not changed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with a mail-box having a swinging lid, of means foroperating the lid, comprising a pair of levers one of which is pivotedto swing horizontally and the other of which is connected to the lid toswing vertically, and a link connecting the levers.

2. The combination, with a mail-box having a swinging lid, of a leverpivoted to swing horizontally and having arms projecting therefrom, avertically swinging lever attached to the lid and connected to one armto open and close the lid according to the movement of the other arm.

3. The combination, with a mail-box, of a swinging lid, of a leverpivoted to swing perpendicular to the movement of the lid, a le-Patented. April 10, 1906.

ing a hinged lid, of a lever pivoted to swing ver attached to the lid,and a link connecting I hooks adapted to grasp the lidd-iange, a lesaidlevers. I ver pivoted to swing at right angles to the 4:. Thecombination, with a mail-box havmovement of the lid, and a linkconnecting said levers.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

ANDREW SEATON.

horizontally and having long and short arms projecting therefrom atdifferent angles, a lever attached to the lid, and a link connecting thelid-lever and the said short arm.

5. The combination, With a mail-box hav ing a hinged lid, of a leverextending over the lid and having diverging arms terminating inWitnesses:

THOS. B. SEATON, MARY A. SEATON.

